News

Anova staff set up bookshop

26.11.08 | Victoria Gallagher

Staff at Anova are switching from publishing to retail this Christmas as they open their own bookshop. The Anova Bookshop opened on Kensington Church Street, London, last Monday (24th) and will be open for 10 weeks, until 1st February.

David Proffit, director of operations came up with the original idea. "This is intended as a motivating, team-building exercise and we hope we'll all learn a lot from it," he said. "And if we make a bit of money too, so much the better."

In completing the trial, the publisher said it hoped to learn more about the needs of customers. Anova staff are manning the floor with special evening events and book giveaways.

The bookshop is stocked with all Anova titles and is open seven days a week. Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, with late night shopping until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Helen Barnes, marketing and publicity manager, said that despite the trial only being for 10 weeks they may "reconsider doing it next year if it's a success".

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By Kerry Herbert

Book Guild Publishing will embark on a similar project, selling a selection of Christmas gift books for one day only at Brighton's Sparkles Market on Saturday 29th November, 11am-6pm.

It is unsure how motivating the Heads of Marketing and Publicity will find the red sequinned top hats bought for them by boss, Carol Biss, but the promotional thunder tea and brownies may provide Christmas cheer enough for all.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:08
By B T Batsford Esq

" ... the publisher said it hoped to learn more about the needs of customers." Hmm. When I wandered in, the three staff members at the counter were busy yakking about their publishing work and completely ignoring the punters. Nobody seemed terribly motivated to me.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:08
By downbythebeach

Did nobody seem interested in you? You appear the embodiment of charity and charm. Surprised they weren't hanging on your every word.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:08
By Kerry

I politely asked a gentleman who was looking at our book stall if he was looking for books for Christmas. "No," he snapped, before picking up a few more books and putting them down in different places. Sometimes the needs of the customer are rather more special than the staff can fulfil and yakking is the only sensible option!

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:08
By RobC

It was my experience as a customer that I'd much prefer to browse, and if I actually required help I'd ask a bookseller. I stuck to this when I became a bookseller, and it never seemed to cause any problems. I'm sure I'm not alone in preferring to be left to my own devices when shopping rather than being hassled by someone who is clearly under orders to appear 'available' and 'helpful' when they are precisely the opposite.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:08
By Chris Nicholl

So B.T.B and Rob C have completely opposing views of how bookselling staff should react to customers. Who would be in retail. Damned if you do - damned if you don't and underpaid regardless.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:08
By Kerry Herbert

Book Guild Publishing will embark on a similar project, selling a selection of Christmas gift books for one day only at Brighton's Sparkles Market on Saturday 29th November, 11am-6pm.

It is unsure how motivating the Heads of Marketing and Publicity will find the red sequinned top hats bought for them by boss, Carol Biss, but the promotional thunder tea and brownies may provide Christmas cheer enough for all.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:08
By B T Batsford Esq

" ... the publisher said it hoped to learn more about the needs of customers." Hmm. When I wandered in, the three staff members at the counter were busy yakking about their publishing work and completely ignoring the punters. Nobody seemed terribly motivated to me.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:08
By downbythebeach

Did nobody seem interested in you? You appear the embodiment of charity and charm. Surprised they weren't hanging on your every word.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:08
By Kerry

I politely asked a gentleman who was looking at our book stall if he was looking for books for Christmas. "No," he snapped, before picking up a few more books and putting them down in different places. Sometimes the needs of the customer are rather more special than the staff can fulfil and yakking is the only sensible option!

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:08
By RobC

It was my experience as a customer that I'd much prefer to browse, and if I actually required help I'd ask a bookseller. I stuck to this when I became a bookseller, and it never seemed to cause any problems. I'm sure I'm not alone in preferring to be left to my own devices when shopping rather than being hassled by someone who is clearly under orders to appear 'available' and 'helpful' when they are precisely the opposite.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:08
By Chris Nicholl

So B.T.B and Rob C have completely opposing views of how bookselling staff should react to customers. Who would be in retail. Damned if you do - damned if you don't and underpaid regardless.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:08

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